Aspirin
Side Effects
tinnitus, GI: GI BLEEDING, dyspepsia, epigastric distress, nausea, abdominal pain, anorexia, hepatotoxicity, vomiting, anemia, hemolysis, increased bleeding time.
Nursing Implications
●Patients who have asthma, allergies, and nasal polyps or who are allergic to tartrazine are at an increased risk for developing hypersensitivity reactions. ● Assess for rash periodically during therapy. May cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis. Discontinue therapy if severe or if accompanied with fever, general malaise, fatigue, muscle or joint aches, blisters, oral lesions, conjunctivitis, hepatitis, and/or eosinophilia. ● *Pain*: Assess pain and limitation of movement; note type, location, and intensity before and at the peak after administration. ● *Fever*: Assess fever and note associated signs (diaphoresis, tachycardia, malaise, chills). ● *Lab Test Considerations*: Monitor hepatic function before antirheumatic therapy and if symptoms of hepatotoxicity occur; more likely in patients, especially children, with rheumatic fever, systemic lupus erythematosus, juvenile arthritis, or pre-existing hepatic disease. May causeqserum AST, ALT, and alkaline phosphatase, especially when plasma concentrations exceed 25 mg/100 mL. May return to normal despite continued use or dose reduction. If severe abnormalities or active liver disease occurs, discontinue and use with caution in future. ● Monitor serum salicylate levels periodically with prolonged high-dose therapy to determine dose, safety, and efficacy, especially in children with Kawasaki disease. ● Prolongs bleeding time for 4-7 days and, in large doses, may cause prolonged prothrombin time. Monitor hematocrit periodically in prolonged high-dose therapy to assess for GI blood loss. ● *Toxicity* *and* *Overdose*: Monitor patient for the onset of tinnitus, headache, hyperventilation, agitation, mental confusion, lethargy, diarrhea, and sweating. If these symptoms appear, withhold medication and notify health care professional immediately.
Metabolism/Excretion
Extensively metabolized by the liver; inactive metabolites excreted by the kidneys.
Adverse Effects
GI bleeding, exfoliative dermatitis, stevens-johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, anaphylaxis, laryngeal edema
Action
Produce analgesia and reduce inflammation and fever by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins. Decreases platelet aggregation. *Therapeutic* *Effects*: Analgesia. Reduction of inflammation. Reduction of fever. Decreased incidence of transient ischemic attacks and MI.
Generic Name
acetylsalicylic acid
Class/Indication
antipyretics, nonopioid analgesics